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Targeting Nuclear Receptors for Cancer Therapy: Premises, Promises, and Challenges
Zhengnan Yang1, Ryan C Gimple2, Nianxin Zhou1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
Nuclear receptors are a family of transcription factors localized in cell nuclei, sensing specific ligands and fine-tuning a variety of cell physiological events. They have been intensively investigated in cancer biology. With their excellent properties of druggability and actionability, nuclear receptors have demonstrated much promise as novel therapeutic targets for different cancer types. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the essential roles of certain nuclear receptors in tumor immunology, suggesting the possibility for them to serve as cancer immunotherapeutic targets. Here, we summarize the roles of nuclear receptors in cancer biology and tumor immunology, and underscore the current advances of clinical trials for nuclear receptor-based cancer therapeutics.
Insights
Nuclear receptors, crucial transcription factors, show promise as cancer drug targets. Their roles in tumor immunology suggest potential for novel cancer immunotherapies, with ongoing clinical trials exploring these applications.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Nuclear receptors are intracellular proteins that regulate gene expression.
- These receptors play key roles in various physiological processes.
- Their involvement in cancer biology has led to investigations as therapeutic targets.
Observation:
- Nuclear receptors exhibit druggable properties, making them attractive therapeutic targets.
- Specific nuclear receptors are increasingly recognized for their roles in tumor immunology.
- These roles suggest potential applications in cancer immunotherapy.
Findings:
- Nuclear receptors modulate key pathways in cancer development and progression.
- Their influence extends to the tumor microenvironment and immune cell function.
- Evidence supports their utility as targets for novel cancer treatments.
Implications:
- Targeting nuclear receptors offers a promising strategy for developing new cancer therapies.
- Further research into nuclear receptor functions can enhance cancer immunotherapeutic approaches.
- Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the efficacy of nuclear receptor-based cancer treatments.
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